Meet Joanne Legler, Yale EMBA’s New Director of Admissions

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Oftentimes, the most difficult part of starting a new job is the sense of unfamiliarity. There are new colleagues, new buildings, new office cultures and customs to adjust to—and that’s nothing compared to figuring out where to get the best cup of morning coffee or lunchtime sandwich. Luckily for me, taking on my new role as director of admissions for the MBA for Executives, Master of Advanced Management, and Master of Management Studies programs was made a little easier by the fact that I already have all of those details down pat, having spent the last three and a half years in the Office of Admissions for the full-time MBA program at Yale SOM. (By the way, the coffee at the café in Evans Hall is terrific, and my favorite lunch spot is Zoi’s, just down the road).

While I spent the last few years of my career working with students in Yale SOM’s two-year, full-time MBA program, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of interacting with students and alumni from all of Yale SOM’s degree programs while traveling to represent the school around the globe. I’ve always been so grateful to see MBA for Executives students and alumni at full-time MBA information sessions. The fact that they are so eager to help us, to share their insights and connection to the school, speaks volumes about their fierce loyalty to our mission to recruit and enroll talented students. Listening to their stories has given me great insight into the MBA for Executives program and experience and an appreciation for the—for lack of a better word—hustle that is required to balance and juggle work, life, and school.

No matter where I find myself in the world, one point has always come through loud and clear when I meet Yale SOM students and alumni: the culture and values of Yale SOM extend across its programs, and the dedication and passion for our mission to educate leaders for business and society truly ties our community together. That mission also drives everything we do in admissions, and is something that everyone on my team lives and breathes each day. As I learn the nuances of the MBA for Executives program and trip over remembering new dates and deadlines, I find comfort in being able to still talk with such excitement about the things that unite our community of purpose.

Moving over to the MBA for Executives program after 11 years in full-time MBA Admissions is so exciting. I can’t wait to hear your story and find out what makes each of you tick, and to learn more about why you’re considering the Yale MBA for Executives program as the next step in your career. I look forward to seeing you out there as I travel around the U.S.—over the next few weeks, my team and I will be in New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., and California. Of course, you are welcome to visit us here in New Haven on an upcoming Saturday for an information session, which gives you a unique opportunity to interact with our students and alumni. I also invite you to contact our team directly via email.

I look forward to seeing you in person soon and hope you’ll be in touch as you continue your MBA journey.